CAMPAIGN AGAINST CHILD LABOUR - Part 1st

Written by Machhindra Gojame

Continued from page 1

A:2Controlling dropout rate from primary schools. Due to various reasons children enrolled in primary school leave school. These school dropouts work as Child Labour. To stop this process, school drop outs are surveyed, their list is prepared and efforts are made to send them school. But we could not succeed in our efforts.

A:3Child education committee. Child education committees are constituted at village level. The committee is comprised of Co-ordinator non-formal education centre. Headmaster/Teacher from a school. Some youth and some prominent individuals from a village. This committee is responsible for 100% enrollment of children in schools, controlling rate of school drop outs, sending Child Labour to non-formal education centre and implementation of campaign against Child Labour at village level. It is revealed that 60 to 70 % of committees are not functioning effectively.

A:4 Village level campaign against child Labour : Under this programme, village level meetings are organised to generate awareness on issue of child Labour. In meeting issue is discussed and remedies are suggested for removal of this system. And people are requested to join compaign. This programme has generated some awareness in village. People have started discussion on this issue. Wall writings are also done, so that people should read slogaus and should think about it.

2)Creche Programme for children of farm labour : Initially to take care of children of working women, creches were opened in four villages. With a support from social welfare Department. This creche programme helped in improving attendance of children in schools. This result made us realised that this programme. Can become a important to for controlling incidence of Child Labour. Since 1987-88 organisation is running creches in Wanjarwada and Malegaon villages of Ahmedpur tahsil. It followed by opening two more units in Thodga and Gagdal villages. A survey revealed that precentage of school going children is more in these villages as compare to other villages where there are no creches. Also it is revealed that percentage of child Labour is comparatively less in there village. As it is proved that this programme is a supportive one in controlling a system of child labour. In last year 10 units of creches are opened in Chakur Tahsil. Two child development workers are appointed in each unit and timing of creches is same timing of a school. Around 20-25 children are enrolled in each unit. Total 240 children are admitted in 10 units. It is a general practice that, elder child takes care of his/her siblings in family. Therefore; these elder children cannot attend schools. These children after some days work as child labour. The objective of this programme is freeing child from taking care of siblings from their family and they should get an opportunity to go to school. At present this programme is implemented on experimental level.

3)Campaign Against system of child labour : Right from beginning we are actively involved in this campaign from village to state to national level.

Under this campaign on village level 14th nov. is celebrated as Children’s Day (Balak Din) and 30th April Day against system of child labour. On these occasion, rallies, cycle rallies, seminars, camps and conference are organised. In these events along with child Labour adult male and female farm labours also participate. Tours, picnics, sports meats and awareness programmes are organised for child Labours as a part of celebration.

Child labour from our region had participated in state and national level events and expressed their feelings and concerus. In Jan 1996 People’s Institute of Rural Development was assigned to organise Marathwada level campaign against system of child Labour. We could organise same successfully. Through this campaign we could reach to 21 Tahsils of 7 districts. We endeavored to educate thousands of people about problem of child labour. One can ask a question of what is achievement of this campaign? We tried to educate those who donot recognise this as a burning issue. It is true that it will take some time to make these people aware of this issue. But due to this campaign, people have at least started thinking of this issue. And we can say that, when people start thinking about any issue, it becomes a first step for organising people’s movement on that issue.

Whatever programmes we have implement for eradication of system of child labour, they were of preventive nature. While implementing these proframme we encounter problems like; non-avilability of capable and active co-ordinator/child development workers, non-cooperation of people, lack of follow up strategy, indifference of government officials and their unsympathetic attitude and lack of training on various levels etc. But our plus point is, our sustained efforts and public contact definitely remulted in mobilising co-operation not only from voluntary organisation but from pleple from different strata of society also.

SHORT DURATION COURSE FOR CHILD LABOUR

Written by Machhindra Gojame

Continued from page 1

The camp was for child Labour. The course was designed to suit to learning capacities of them. Therefore, each period was of 45 minits. And only two periods were taken continuously which followed by a break of 30 minits. To 2 Hours. To provide them healthy entertainment and to improve their general knowledge, facilities for indoor and outdoor games like foot ball, cricket, handbal and T.V.set were made available to them. For their learning purpose. States, pencils, books, pens sketch pens, black boards, maps, charts and other teaching aids were provided.

On 7th july camp was concluded. One day before conclusion games, cultural evening and various competitions were organised for them. To asess performance of children and also to assess their learning’s examinations were conducted. Papers were set class wise and subjectwise. 80% children were passed in grade IVth examination and result was 70% for grade VIIth examination. In literacy development category 60% children could develop their reading, writing and mathematical skills. Followup action will be undetaken for enrolling these children schools. But this short term residential school for child labour, experiment revealed following; 1.If such opportunities for education are provided to deprived children then children’s response will be positive. 2.Two month duration for such camp is inadequate. The reason is 15 to 20 days are required for setting them down in environment. Besides to prepare them for Std. IVth or VIIth minimum four months are required. 3.Education department should make special provisions for incorporating these children in regular schools care should be taken that these provisions are implemented properly. 4.For needy Children free provision should be made for lodging and boarding along with their education. 5.For successful conclusion of this camp coordination between parents, government, teachers and social workers is essential.

Many people and extended their support and cooperation to people’s Institute of Rural Development in implementing this programme. Shri Lahu Bande, Mane, Salunke, Sulochana Kumbhar, Sunita Cheuale, Jaimala Borsule and teachers involved in implemation of this programme worked with full dedication and commitment. Besides them Sunil Khandalikar, Sanjay Ladke, Shankar Kadam, Vivek Yadav, Shrirang Maske, Ashok Kulkarni, Amrit Bhoge, Patil, Afasana Shaik and other social workers also endeavored and contributed for success of camp.

Summary of Residential Bridge camp : -

Features ØCamps for out of school children; support classes for all children ØChildren from different villages brought together at one location for camps ØDuration of bridge camps: two months or more ØCompressed curriculum covered in camps was based on formal school syllabus ØSupport given to all children throughout year ØIntention was to enroll all children into formal schools

Strengths ØChildren were released from work and could concentrate on learning during camps ØThe habit of spending time on learning was developed in children who had never done this before camp ØSubstantial teaching was achieved in two months and children were better prepared for school

Concerns ØLower attendance of girls at camps ØDifficult involve working children who were either bonded or contributing substantially to family income ØCost of camps was high we had expired Rs. 2,29,946/- During Bridge course camp. Hence it is not continued in Further. ØOrganisation of camps was complicated and staff-intensive ØChildren had to be taken away from home into unfamiliar environment for camps.